Medical cabinet access belt optimization system

ABSTRACT

A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/256,740, filed on Apr. 18, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/087,070, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,744,621,filed on Apr. 14, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/040,931, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,121,197,filed on Mar. 4, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/032,753, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,588,966,filed on Feb. 23, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/351,679, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,103,379,filed Jan. 9, 2009, all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of cabinetry forstoring medical supplies. More specifically, the present disclosurerelates to a cabinet system for providing security related to storeditems, such as medical supplies.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention relates to a secured drawer for a supplycabinet. The secured drawer includes a plurality of compartments whichare arranged end to end from a first end to a second end. There is afirst roller supported at the first end and a second roller supported atthe second end. There is a belt which has a first opening and a secondopening larger than the first opening. The belt is moveably supported bythe rollers and moveably aligns at least one of the openings with one ofthe compartments while restricting access to at least one of thecompartments. A belt actuator is operable to selectively move the beltin either a first direction or a second direction to change access fromone of the compartments to another of the compartments. The actuator isconfigured to move the belt in the direction which minimizes the timerequired to change access from one compartment to another.

Another embodiment of the invention provides for a storage system forsecurely storing items therein. The storage system includes a drawerunit having a plurality of compartments formed therein. A belt isrotatably disposed about the compartments of the drawer unit and has atleast a first opening formed therein. The belt is rotatable in either aclockwise or counter-clockwise direction to align the opening with acompartment to provide access to at least one of the plurality ofcompartments while restricting access to at least one of the pluralityof compartments. A belt actuator selectively rotates the belt to provideaccess to one of the plurality of compartments. The direction ofrotation of the belt actuator is selected to minimize the time requiredto move the opening to provide access to compartments.

In yet another embodiment of the invention is a storage system forsecurely storing items therein. The storage system includes a drawerunit comprising a plurality of compartments formed therein. There iscover comprising a first opening and a second opening formed therein,wherein the first opening has a wider area than the second opening. Anactuator selectively moves the cover during operation use of the system.A controller in communication with the actuator directs the actuator tomove the cover such that either the first opening or the second openingis aligned with a designated compartment, depending upon the size of thedesignated compartment.

In still another embodiment of the invention, there is a storage systemfor securely storing items therein. The storage system includes a drawerunit comprising a plurality of compartments formed therein. A covercovering the plurality of compartments includes an opening that may beselectively aligned with a designated compartment to allow accessthereto. An actuator selectively moves the belt during operational useof the system. A sensor is configured to detect a position of the cover.A controller in communication with the actuator and the sensor receivesdata from the sensor that is representative of the position of the coverrelative to the drawer unit. The controller directs the actuator to movethe cover such that the opening is aligned with the designatedcompartment during operation use of the system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will become more fully understood from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet system according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cabinet system according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a cabinet system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a drawer unit according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of an insert of the drawer unit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of an insert.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the drawer unit of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7. is a perspective view of a portion of the cabinet system of FIG.3.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a portion of a cabinet system according toan exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a portion of a cabinet system according toanother exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a portion of a cabinet system accordingto yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a portion of a cabinet system accordingto still another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an item management system.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a belt tension adjustmentarrangement and a sensor assembly.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the compartments of a drawer unit inreference to a belt cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in thedescription or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understoodthat the terminology is for the purpose of description only and shouldnot be regarded as limiting.

Access to medical items, such as medications, medical instruments,medicinal applicators, healthcare-related articles, or other items, maybe controlled by a storage cabinet system (e.g., medication cabinetry)designed to inhibit misuse, mistaken use, and theft of such items. Thecabinet system may be used by doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists,and others to store and controllably distribute the items. In at leastone embodiment disclosed herein, a cabinet system provides selectiveaccess to the items, which are stored in one or more drawer units of thecabinet system. The cabinet system is sensitive to unauthorized attemptsto access the contents of the one or more drawer units, and stores datarepresentative of such attempts, whether or not the attempts aresuccessful.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cabinet system 110 (e.g., dispensing station)includes a cabinet housing 112 (e.g., frame), a controller 114, and oneor more drawer units 116 (e.g., secure drawers with lids). According toan exemplary embodiment, the drawer units 116 of the cabinet system 110are arranged in one or more vertically-stacked rows 122, each row 122including one or more drawer units 116. The drawer units 116 of the rows122 may be uniform in size (see, e.g., assembly 310 of drawer units 312as shown in FIG. 3), or may include a variety of different sizes andrelative capacities.

One or more of the drawer units 116 are configured to be releasablylocked at least partially within the cabinet housing 112 by a lockingmechanism (see, e.g., locking mechanism 222 as shown in FIG. 2). Lockingof the drawer unit 116 within the cabinet housing 112 may inhibitunauthorized access to contents of the drawer unit 116, and/orunauthorized removal of the entire drawer unit 116. However, when thelocking mechanism is released, the drawer unit 116 may be slid relativeto the cabinet housing 112, such as pulled partially or fully out of thecabinet housing 112.

Still referring to FIG. 1, each drawer unit 116 includes a storagecompartment 118 (e.g., container) and a cover 120 coupled thereto. Thestorage compartment 118 is designed to securely store one or more itemstherein, such as medical supplies, and the cover 120 is designed to moveto an open configuration and a closed configuration. While in a closedconfiguration, the cover 120 is designed to limit access to the items ofthe storage compartment 118. However, when the cover 120 is in the openconfiguration and the drawer unit 116 has been sufficiently slid fromthe cabinet housing 112, contents of the storage compartment 118 may beaccessible for removal from the drawer unit 116.

In FIG. 1, the controller 114 is shown to include a computer terminal(e.g., laptop computer). The controller 114 is in communication (e.g.,wireless communication 124 or over a wired network) with at least one ofthe cabinet housing 112 and/or one of the drawer units 116. According toan exemplary embodiment, the controller 114 is configured to controloperation of the locking mechanism, so as to control the release of thelocking mechanism and correspondingly release the drawer unit 116 withrespect to the cabinet housing 112. In some embodiments, the controller114 is further configured to control movement of the cover 120, such asto move the cover 120 from the closed configuration to the openconfiguration, and/or visa versa.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the drawer units116 includes a tamper detection system. After the drawer unit 116 hasbeen released from the locking mechanism and the cover 120 is in theopen configuration relative to one of several compartments, the drawerunit 116 is sensitive to additional movements of the cover 120. Forexample, if a would-be thief attempts to manually force movement of thecover 120 to gain unauthorized access to additional compartments, acomponent(s) (e.g., sensor) of the drawer unit 116 provides notice ofthe attempt—regardless of whether the attempt was successful or not. Insome embodiments, the component generates a signal that triggers analarm. In some embodiments, the signal is stored in memory coupled tothe drawer unit 116, and/or communicated to the controller 114 to beanalyzed and possibly further communicated. In other contemplatedembodiments, the memory may be coupled to the cabinet housing 112 or tothe controller 114.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cabinet system 210 includes a cabinet housing212, a controller 214, an upper drawer unit 216, and a lower drawer unit218. According to an exemplary embodiment, each drawer unit 216, 218includes at least a first storage compartment 224 and a second storagecompartment 226. Each storage compartment 224, 226 is configured tostore (e.g., hold, contain) one or more items. A locking mechanism 222is configured to releasably lock each drawer unit 216, 218 at leastpartially within the cabinet housing 212—for example, substantiallywithin the cabinet housing 212, but with an end (e.g., face, handle,extensions) of each drawer unit 216, 218 extending from the cabinethousing 212.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cover 230 of the upper drawer unit 216 is in aclosed configuration, blocking access to contents of the storagecompartments 224, 226 thereof. A cover 232 of the lower drawer unit 218is in an open configuration relative to the first storage compartment224 thereof, where the cover 232 is clear of an opening 234 (e.g., openend, top) of the first storage compartment 224. As such, items stored inthe first storage compartment 224 of the lower drawer unit 218 may beaccessed (e.g., removed, added, replaced, used). However, items storedin the second storage compartment 226 of the lower drawer unit 218 areinaccessible as shown in FIG. 2, because the cover 232 is in a closedconfiguration relative to the second storage compartment 226 blockingaccess thereto.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the cabinet housing 212 includes avertical arrangement of enclosures 250 (e.g., bays, openings, etc.).Each enclosure 250 includes a rear portion 244 and a front portion 242.The front portion 242 of each enclosure 250 is configured to receive atleast one drawer unit 216, 218 inserted through an opening and slidwithin the cabinet housing 212 toward the rear portion 244. Proximate tothe rear portion 244 of each enclosure 250, the cabinet housing 212includes a connector 248 (e.g., port, interface, link, coupling) forreceiving a complementary connector 246 coupled each drawer unit 216,218.

Coupling of the connectors 246, 248 allows for power and/or datacommunication between the controller 214 and the drawer units 216, 218,where the controller 214 is linked to the enclosures 250 of the cabinethousing 212 by wire 260. According to an exemplary embodiment, theconnectors 246, 248 may be disconnected from each other when each drawerunit 216, 218 is slid away from the rear portion 244 of the enclosure250, and may be reconnected when the respective drawer unit 216, 218 isthen slid back to the rear portion 244 of the enclosure 250,reconnecting the connectors 246, 248.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the connectors246, 248 includes one or more spring-loaded pins (see, e.g., pins 330 asshown in FIG. 3) and the other of the connectors 246, 248 includes oneor more complementary ports configured to receive the pins. The pins maybe pulled from the ports as the drawer units 216, 218 are slid away fromthe rear portion 244 of the cabinet housing 212, and then reconnected tothe ports when the drawer units 216, 218 are slid back. In othercontemplated embodiments, the controller 214 and each drawer unit 216,218 remain in continuous communication (e.g., wired or wirelesscommunication), even when the drawer units 216, 218 are slid partiallyout of each enclosure 250.

In various embodiments the controller 214 may include a broad range ofcontrol devices, such as a general purpose processor,application-specific integrated circuitry, a digital control interfacemounted directly to the cabinet housing, a handheld remote control, anetwork of computers hard-wired to the cabinet system 210, or any othercollection of circuitry components configured to conduct calculations orto facilitate the activities described herein. In contemplatedembodiments, the controller 214 may be in wired or wirelesscommunication, fiber optic communication, communication via mechanicallinkage, or otherwise coupled to at least one of the cabinet housing 212and/or one of the drawer units 216, 218 of the cabinet system 210. Thecontroller 214 of FIG. 2 may also be linked to a network 254, such as anarrangement of hospital computers coupled to the internet or databasescontaining medical item information, medical personnel authorizationinformation, or patient-related care information.

The controller 214 is configured to operate the locking mechanism 222for each drawer unit 216, 218 via an actuator 252, such as an electricsolenoid coupled to the locking mechanism 222. In various contemplatedembodiments, the locking mechanism 222 includes at least one of a latch,a pin, a hook, a sliding bar, an interfering member, or another type oflocking mechanisms, such as other remotely-controllable lockingmechanisms that are commercially available. While the locking mechanism222 in FIG. 2 is shown to selectively lock an underside 262 of eachdrawer unit 216, 218 to the rear portion 244 of each enclosure 250, itis contemplated that in other embodiments a locking mechanism may beconfigured to selectively lock any portion of each drawer unit 216, 218to any other portion of the cabinet system 210.

The controller 214 is further configured to operate the covers 230, 232of the drawer units 216, 218, such as to instruct one or more of thecovers 230, 232 to move to an open configuration relative to one or moreof the respective compartments 224, 226. According to an exemplaryembodiment, movement of the covers 230, 232 may occur while each drawerunit 216, 218 is in one of the enclosures 250, such that the items ofthe drawer units 216, 218 may be then accessible when the drawer units216, 218 are sufficiently slid out of the cabinet housing 212. In someembodiments, the covers 230, 232 are configured to move forward andbackward (e.g., bi-directionally) relative to the compartments 224, 226.

The controller 214 is still further configured to operate a lock 256coupled to each cover 230, 232. The lock 256 may be used to fix therespective cover 230, 232 in a particular configuration, orientation, orposition when the corresponding drawer unit 216, 218 is slid away fromthe rear portion 244 of the cabinet housing 212. The lock 256 mayinclude, but is not limited to a solenoid configured to engage lockingholes in the covers 230, 232 (see, e.g., track 338 with perforations 346as shown in FIG. 5), a spring-biased latch configured to engage eachcover 230, 232 when the respective drawer unit 216, 218 is removed fromthe cabinet housing 212, and/or a high-ratio gear reduction (e.g.,high-reduction gear box) of an electric motor 258 or other actuator usedfor controllably moving the covers 230, 232, where with the electricmotor 258 stopped, the gear reduction is difficult to manually overcome.In still other embodiments the covers 230, 232 may be braked or lockedby a motor brake or by reversing the polarity of the motor.

Still referring to FIG. 2, each drawer unit 216, 218 is coupled to anelectronic memory 236 and a power source 238 for the electronic memory236. Preferably, memory 236 and power source 238 are physicallysupported by their respective drawer units to move with the drawer unitswhen they are moved. In various contemplated embodiments the electronicmemory 236 may store data in a variety of states, such as volatile,non-volatile, random-access memory, read-only memory, solid states, andthe like. The electronic memory 236 is configured to store (e.g.,record, retain, hold) data associated with movement of the covers 230,232. In some embodiments, the electronic memory 236 stores when thecovers 230, 232 are directed to move by the controller 214, and/or whenthe covers 230, 232 are manually forced to move, such during anattempted theft of items stored in the cabinet system 210. In someembodiments, the electronic memory 236 stores such data regardless ofwhether the covers 230, 232 are fully moved to an open or closedconfiguration.

In some embodiments, the electronic memory 236 is coupled to a clock andstores the time, date, and duration of movements of the covers 230, 232and/or relative configurations, positions, and orientations of thecovers 230, 232 (e.g., data such as: ‘compartment 226 of drawer unit 218was open from 18:00:31 to 18:17:09 hours on Month, Day, Year). In otherembodiments, the electronic memory 236 is configured to only store datawhen the covers 230, 232 have been manually forced to move, such aswithout authorization from the controller 214. Data may include datarepresentative of one or more signals generated by encoders (e.g.magnetic or optical) which monitor cover movement, cam switches, halleffect sensors, capacitor discharge responsive to cover movement, sensorswitch state change in response to unauthorized cover movement,monitoring of motor leads to detect movement of a belt-type cover. Uponreinsertion and connection of these drawers the data and/or statechanges can be read and detected by the controller.

In variant contemplated embodiments, the power source 238 for theelectronic memory 236 includes a battery, a power cell, a capacitorselectively charged by the controller 214, and/or other power sources,which may be coupled to each drawer unit 216, 218. Memory of events maybe recorded on the electronic memory 236 and retained for download, evenafter the power source 238 has expired or terminated. In otherembodiments, the electronic memory 236 may distinguish betweenauthorized and unauthorized manual movements of the covers 230, 232. Forexample, the electronic memory may record when an authorized user isimplementing a manual key override, such as during a power outage. Instill other embodiments, an unauthorized movement of the covers 230, 232may be detected by comparing the relative position of one of the covers230, 232 before and after a drawer unit 216, 218 has been accessed, notrequiring use of the electronic memory 236 and power source 238.

According to an exemplary embodiment, data may be transferred from theelectronic memory 236 to the controller 214. When the drawer units 216,218 are linked to the controller 214, data stored on the electronicmemory 236 may be downloaded by the controller (e.g., processor) andanalyzed. The data may include a broad spectrum of information,including by way of non-limiting example, a time and date of access ormovement, contents of a drawer unit, a form of access (e.g., authorizedor unauthorized, manual or automatic, etc.), accessing individual, formof authorization (e.g., prescription code, etc.), duration of access,and other such data. Analysis of the data may be designed to determinewhether an attempt had been made to access to the items within thecabinet system 210 without authorization. While the electronic memory236 is attached to each of the drawer units 216, 218 in FIG. 2, in othercontemplated embodiments electronic memory may coupled to a controller,a cabinet housing, or elsewhere in a cabinet system, and analysis ofdata collected regarding movement of a cover for a drawer unit may beperformed in real time, substantially as the cover is moved.

Still referring to FIG. 2, at least one of the drawer units 216, 218further includes a sensor 270 (e.g., photosensor, accelerometer, reedswitch) coupled to the respective cover 230, 232. The sensor 270 isconfigured and arranged so as to directly or indirectly detect movementof the respective cover 230, 232, and to communicate the movement to theelectronic memory 236 and/or to the controller 214. In some embodiments,the sensor 270 includes a potentiometer coupled to a pivot or wheelassociated with movement of the cover (see, e.g., roller 332 as shown inFIG. 4). The potentiometer generates an electric signal responsive tomovement of the cover 232 relative to the compartments 224, 226. Inother contemplated embodiments, the cover 230, 232 includes the electricmotor 258 or other actuator configured to move the cover 230, 232 inresponse to instructions from the controller 214. Manual movement of theelectric motor 258 (e.g., reverse operation thereof) generates anelectric signal that is directed to the electronic memory 236, whichrecords data representative of the electric signal, and in turn of themanual movement of the cover 230, 232.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each drawer unit 216, 218 includesan alarm 264. Another alarm 266 is coupled to the controller 214. Insome embodiments, an electric signal generated in response to movementof one of the covers 230, 232 is also directed to at least one of thealarms 264, 266, which are configured to provide notice (e.g., alert,warn, broadcast) of unauthorized attempts to access items stored in thecabinet system 210. In some embodiments, the alarm 266 may be triggeredsubsequent to an unauthorized attempt, following analysis of datadownloaded by the controller 214 from the electronic memory 236.

In various embodiments, the alarms 264, 266 may be visual alarms, suchas flashing lights, liquid crystal displays, light-emitting diodedisplays, warning messages, or other such visual signals. In otherembodiments, the alarms 264, 266 may be audio alarms, such as beeping,sirens, pre-recorded messages, or other such audio signals, or acombination of both visual and audio signals. In some embodiments, thealarm 266 may be a silent alarm, not intended to be noticed by thesomeone triggering the alarm 266, such as an electronic-mail (e-mail)message automatically transmitted, which reports an incident to an emailaccount of at least one pre-determined person (e.g., on-call doctor,hospital security, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 3 an assembly 310 of drawer units 312 is attachedto a rear portion 314 of a cabinet housing (see, e.g., cabinet housing112 as shown in FIG. 1). The assembly 310 includes eight drawer units312 in two rows, where each drawer unit 312 includes a cover 320 (e.g.,sliding cover, indexing belt, hinged cover, removable cover, etc.)having an opening 322 therein. Each drawer unit 312 further includesside walls 328 (FIG. 4) that form compartments 334 interior to thedrawer unit 312. Restraining bars 340 are biased to hold contents of thecompartments 334 within the compartments 334 when the opening 322 of thecover 320 is aligned with each compartment 334. However, the bars 340may be manually lifted or pivoted as necessary to remove items from thecompartments 334. In still other embodiments, restraining bars are notincluded.

A visual interface, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) display 348, iscoupled to a face 350 of at least one of the drawer units 312. The LEDdisplay 348 is configured to provide a visual signal to a user of thecabinet system. According to an exemplary embodiment, the visual signalof the LED display 348 indicates that unauthorized tampering hasoccurred with the respective drawer unit 312. In other embodiments, theLED display 348 provides other information, such as contents of thedrawer unit 312, supply status information, etc.

When the drawer units 312 are stored within the cabinet housing, acontroller (see, e.g., controller 214 as shown in FIG. 2) may be inelectrical or other communication with the drawer units 312. However,the rear portion 314 of the cabinet housing may also include aninterlock (e.g., a switch, spring pin connection, etc.) that can breakcommunication between the controller and the drawer units 312 when asubstantial portion of each drawer unit 312 is slid from the rearportion 314 of the cabinet housing (e.g., substantial enough that anunauthorized person could grip and pull the drawer unit 312 and/or cover320 in order to force access to the compartments 334 thereof). As shownin FIG. 3, spring-loaded connection pins 330 separate connectivitybetween the drawer unit 312 from the rear portion 314, cuttingcommunication between the drawer unit 312 and the controller, uponsliding of the drawer unit 312 from the rear portion 314 of the cabinethousing.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the cover 320 forms a closure withrespect to the compartments 334 of the drawer unit 312. However, thecover 320 may be moved by an electric motor 352 (see FIG. 6),repositioning the opening 322 of the cover 320 to allow controlledaccess to one or more of the compartments 334 and/or to form a closurewith respect to other compartments 334. In some embodiments, sliding ofthe drawer unit 312 from the rear portion 314 of the cabinet housingstops the flow of electricity to the electric motor 352 (see FIG. 6)used to move the cover 320 interlocking the cover 320.

The rear portion 314 of the cabinet housing includes a circuitry board(e.g., firmware, programmable read-only memory (PROM)) and a releasablelatch 354 (FIG. 7), both coupled to the controller. The latch 354 isconfigured to lock the drawer unit 312 to the rear portion 314 of thecabinet housing. An actuator 342 (e.g., solenoid, motorized pulley) mayrelease the latch 354 when directed to do so by the controller. Whenunlocked, the drawer unit 312 may slide relative to the cabinet housingalong a slide rail 344 that extends from the rear portion 314 of thecabinet housing.

Referring to FIG. 4 the drawer unit 312 includes a top frame 316 (e.g.cover), an insert 318, and a shell 324. The insert 318 fits within theshell 324, and the top frame 316, with flanges 326 extending therefrom,fits over the insert 318 and attaches to the shell 324. In someembodiments, the top frame 316 can be securely fastened to the shell 324by means of a thumb screw or other fasteners, to prevent removal of theinsert 318 from the shell 324.

The insert 318 includes the cover 320, a side wall 328, and rollers 332.The cover 320 may slide relative to the side wall 328 and compartments334 via the rollers 332. In some embodiments, the insert 318 includesintermediary flanges 372 extending from the side wall 328 (or from theshell 324) to contact receiving portions 374 of the shell 324 in orderto separate the cover 320 from the shell 324 during movement of thecover 320 (i.e., providing space for the cover 320 to move).

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the insert 318 includes the cover 320and a body 336. The body 336 includes divider walls 356 and side walls328, which together form compartments 334. According to an exemplaryembodiment, some of the divider walls 356 may be fixed while others maybe removable, providing adjustable compartmentalization. In someembodiments, the insert 318 can optionally have two, three, or fourcompartments 334, depending upon the use of the removable divider walls356. Items of varying sizes may be stored in differently sizedcompartments 334. In such embodiments, the cover 320 may include twoopenings 322, one configured to match a larger compartment and the othersized for a smaller compartment. Depending upon the use, there may bemore than two opening sizes. The fixed divider walls 356 may beinjection molded with the body 336, glued, welded, or otherwise fixed tothe body 336. In other embodiments, a body of an insert may be bothlonger and/or deeper (or shorter and/or narrower) than the body 336 ofFIG. 5. In some such embodiments, a body of an insert may include up tosix compartments, with ten such inserts in a drawer assembly (cf.assembly 310 as shown in FIG. 3). FIG. 5B is similar to FIG. 5A,however, it includes more compartments. In other embodiments, insertsmay include sprockets which drive both sides of a cover.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the cover 320 may be an indexingbelt made of a continuous material, such as about 0.005 inch thickstainless steel sheet. Other contemplated embodiments include belts ofthicker clear mylar, polycarbonate sheet, rubber, or other materials.The cover 320 is preferably made to be flexible, such that the cover 320may bend about a portion of the insert 318, such as a roller 332.Bending of the cover 320 allows for a more-compact drawer unit design,because unused portions of the cover 320 may be folded about the body336. Other contemplated embodiments include flexible covers, such asstraps, strips, bands, and the like, which may not slide fully aroundthe body 336. For example, some embodiments include spools for windingthe flexible covers for storage and control thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the cover 320 is designed with aseries of small holes 358 that are in coded sequences, readable by asensor. The coded sequences vary at different positions on the cover320, such that detection of a portion of the coded sequence by thesensor provides positional information to the controller of the cover320 orientation relative to the body 336. Still other embodiments countrotations of one of the rollers 332 to determine the position of thecover 320 relative to a starting position thereof. In some embodiments,holes may be noncircular, such as diamond-shaped, teardrop shaped, orotherwise shaped. Including a corner (e.g., crack initiation location,vertex) to the shape of the holes may improve tamper evidence byfacilitating a controlled tearing of the cover if unauthorized, forcedentry is attempted.

The rollers 332 are positioned on the longitudinal ends of the insert318, where at least one of the rollers 332 is in the form of a sprocket360 (with teeth). In such embodiments, the cover 320 includes perforatedtracks 338. The teeth of the sprocket 360 fit the perforations 346, suchthat the cover 320 is moved relative to the body 336 via controlledrotation of the sprocket 360. In other embodiments, rollers 332 have ahigh-friction surface, such as sandpaper grit or a gripping rubber, forproviding force to move the cover 320, without teeth. The rollers 332may be injection molded from Celcon or Delrin materials, cast or moldedmetals, and/or composites.

FIG. 6 further illustrates the side walls 328, a removable divider wall356, rollers 332 (one being a sprocket 360), the electric motor 352, anda gear reduction 362. The electric motor 352 (e.g., direct currentmotor) is coupled to the gear reduction 362, which in turn is coupled tothe sprocket 360, coupled to the cover 320. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the electric motor 352 is selectively powered by thecontroller via a power/data bus coupled to the insert 318, andselectively connected to a power source when the drawer unit 312 islocked within the cabinet housing.

The inserts 318 of FIGS. 5A and 5B may additionally include a datastorage device coupled to the power/data bus. In some embodiments, thedata storage device is coupled to the electric motor 352 (illustrated inFIG. 6). Manual sliding of the cover 320 forces the electric motor 352to operate in reverse, generating an electric signal that is transmittedon the power/data bus. Data representative of the electric signal isstored on the data storage device 373. In other embodiments, the datastorage device 373 is a mechanical detection device, such as aspring-loaded interlock. Manual sliding of the cover 320 triggers theinterlock, which locks the cover 320 and may additionally trigger analarm.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the shell 324 may be locked to the rear portion314 of the cabinet housing by a latch 354. The latch 354 extends beneaththe shell 324 and connects to the shell 324 via a strike 364 (e.g.,reinforced hole, catch) coupled to the shell 324. The latch 354 iscoupled with the actuator 342, which is coupled by the controller toselectively release the shell 324. A security deflection tab 366 (e.g.,“fishability bracket”), as shown in FIG. 4, may serve to block attemptsto manipulate the latch 354 from an above position, such as by drillinga hole in the top of the cabinet housing and reaching down through thehole with a rod to release the latch 354. A second tab 368 extends fromthe shell 324 to block attempts to manipulate the latch 354 from thefront of the cabinet housing. A manual release plate 370 allows forrelease of the drawer units 312 by key, code, etc., during a poweroutage (e.g., manual key override).

Referring now to FIG. 8, an alternative for the drawer, a drawer 412,includes at least one compartment 418 and an actuator (e.g., electricmotor, solenoid, electromagnet pair, etc.) in the form of an electricmotor 420, which is coupled to a sprocket 422. A cover 424 is coupled tothe drawer 412 and is configured to selectively block access to thecompartment 418. In some embodiments, the cover 424 is a belt thatsurrounds at least a portion of the drawer 412. An opening 426 in thecover may be aligned with the compartment 418 in the drawer 412.Alignment of the opening 426 of the cover 424 with the compartment 418allows for access to items stored in the compartment 418 and whilesimultaneously preventing access to other compartments in drawer 412.Misalignment of the opening 426 of the cover 424 with the compartment418 allows the cover 424 to block access to the items. The sprocket 422is configured to engage a track 428 on the cover 424 to move the cover424 (and the opening 426 therein) relative to the drawer 412 (andcompartment 418 therein).

The electric motor 420 of the drawer 412 includes electric leads 430(e.g., wires, conductive extensions, prongs, etc.) in electricalcommunication with the working components (e.g., rotor/stator portions)of the motor 420. The leads 430 are configured to engage couplings 432associated with a housing 416. As such, when the drawer 412 in securelywithin the housing 416, the leads 430 of the motor 420 are in electricalcommunication with a power source connected through the housing 416.However, when the drawer 412 is slid from the enclosure (at leastpartially), the leads 430 are decoupled from the power source, breakingelectrical connectivity to the motor 420. Accordingly, the motor 420does not rotate the sprocket 422, and the cover 424 is not moved by themotor 420 when the drawer 412 is slid from an enclosure 414.

Still referring to FIG. 8, cabinet system 410 includes a lockingmechanism for locking the cover 424 when the drawer 412 is slid from thehousing 416, which includes a switch 434 (e.g., relay) extending betweenthe leads 430 of the motor 420. According to an exemplary embodiment,the switch 434 is open when the drawer 412 is electrically coupled tothe power source by way of the couplings 432 of the housing 416.However, when the drawer 412 is slid from the housing 416 and away fromthe couplings 432 breaking the electrical connectivity between thedrawer 412 and the power source, the switch 434 is automatically closed,shorting the leads 430 of the electric motor 420. As such, the internalcomponents of the motor 420 (e.g., rotator/stator, drive shaft, gearreduction, transmission, etc.) serve as an interlock, resisting manualmovement of the cover 424 by an unauthorized user. One type of effectivegear reduction for providing locking is a 90° worm-gear drive. (Notspecifically shown.)

Shorting the leads 430 also may serve to prevent an unauthorized userfrom attaching a supplemental power source to the leads 430, to powerthe motor 420 (e.g., hotwire the motor 420). As such, the switch 434 andelectric motor 420, as coupled to the cover 424 by way of the sprocket422, serve as a locking mechanism (e.g., brake) for the cover 424 whenthe drawer 412 is removed from the cabinet housing 416. In someembodiments, the motor 420 will generate electricity (e.g. a voltageand/or current) when manually operated in reverse, the occurrence ofwhich may be recorded in an electric memory as evidence of tampering.

Referring now to FIG. 9, another alternative of the drawer, drawer 512,also has a compartment 514 and an electric motor 516 coupled to asprocket 518. The cover 528 is movable by the electric motor 516 viarotation of the sprocket 518 which engages a track 530 on the cover 528.Movement of the cover 528 provides selective access to items stored inthe compartment 514 of the drawer 512 by way of an opening 532 in thecover.

A locking mechanism in the form of a pin 534 may be used to lock thecover 528 relative to the drawer 512 (and the compartment 514 therein).The pin 534 may be biased by a spring 536 and may interlock the cover528 when the drawer 512 is slid from the housing 520. Sliding the drawer512 from the housing 520 may release the pin 534 from being held inplace by the housing 520, releasing tension on the spring 536, whichslides the pin 534 into a corresponding slot 538 in the cover 528. Whenthe drawer 512 is returned to the housing 520, the housing 520 reengagesthe pin 534, removing the pin 534 from the slot 538 and unlocking thecover 528. In some embodiments, the pin 534 may be used in conjunctionwith a switch selectively coupling the leads 526 (see, e.g., switch 434as shown in FIG. 8).

The pin 534 may also be positioned within an electromagnet 540 (e.g.,acting as solenoid), and is biased by the spring 536 in opposition toelectromagnetic forces on the pin 534 selectively provided by theelectromagnet 540. When electricity is supplied to the electromagnet540, the pin 534 is pulled against the spring 536, compressing thespring 536. When electricity is not supplied to the electromagnet 540,the spring 536 is released, pushing the pin 534 forward to engage andlock the cover 528 in the slot 538 (e.g., hole) therein. When the drawer512 is returned to the housing 520 and electricity is restored to theelectromagnet 540, the pin 534 is pulled from the slot 538 of the cover528, releasing the cover 528 to move relative to the compartment 514. Insome embodiments, a manual override key (e.g., physical key, push buttoncode, etc.) may be used to release the cover 528 from the pin 534 whenthe drawer 512 is out of the enclosure 522. In other embodiments, aclamp coupled to the pin 534 may be used to selectively grip the cover,in place of engagement with the slot 538.

Referring now to FIG. 10, another version of the drawer, drawer 614, isshown. As with the other versions, drawer 614 includes severalcompartments 616 for storage of medical items. A cover 618 having anopening 620 therein is coupled to the drawer 614, and moveable relativeto the compartments 616 of the drawer 614 via a sprocket 622 coupled toa motor 624, the sprocket 622 engaging a track 626 on the cover 618.

A locking mechanism in the form of a motor brake 628 (e.g. functionbrake or jaw brake) is coupled to the motor 624. According to anexemplary embodiment, the motor brake 628 is configured to lock a shaft630 of the motor 624 when electrical power is cut to the motor brake628. A power source is coupled to the drawer 614 by way of couplings 632of the housing 612 that may be selectively connected to leads 634 of themotor 624 and to the motor brake 628 of the drawer 614. When the drawer614 is pulled from the cabinet housing 612, electricity to the drawer614 is cut and the cover 618 is locked relative to the compartments 616of the drawer 614. When the drawer 614 is returned to the cabinethousing 612 and electricity is restored to the motor brake 628, thecover 618 is released and may be moved (by way of the motor 624 andsprocket 622) relative to the compartments 616 of the drawer 614 toblock or allow access to items stored therein.

Referring to FIG. 11, another version of the drawer, drawer 714, isshown. In this version, an electric motor 716 is powered via an electriccoupling 728 with the housing 712 driving a worm gear 718 by way ofintermediate gearing 720 is configured to control movement of a cover722 that includes an opening 724 that is adjustable to selectively blockaccess to contents stored in a compartment 726 of the drawer 714. Whenthe drawer 714 is within the cabinet housing 712, the drawer 714 iselectrically coupled to a power source, and the motor 716 controlsrotation of the worm gear 718 to move the cover 722. However, when thedrawer 714 is removed (or at least partially removed) from the cabinethousing 712, electrical connectivity between the drawer 714 and thepower source is severed. The worm gear 718 and motor 716 serve as aninterlock, preventing manual movement of the cover 722 by anunauthorized user attempting to gain access to items stored in acompartment 726 of the drawer 714 that is intended by a controller ofthe cabinet system 710 to be closed.

Although electrical connectivity in FIGS. 8-11 is shown as a coupling ofleads of the electric motors connected to leads extending from thecabinet housing, in other embodiments the power source or a portion ofthe power source may be coupled to a drawer even when the drawer ispulled from the cabinet housing. Movement of the drawer, or relativeposition of the drawer may trigger actuation of a combination of thelocking mechanisms of FIGS. 8-11. Additionally, alternative lockingmechanisms that are commercially available, may be used in combinationwith the or in place of the locking mechanisms shown in FIGS. 8-11, tocontrol access to items securely stored in the drawers.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a cabinet system 810 (e.g., item managementsystem, controlled-access medication dispensing system) includes cabinethardware 816 including a first stationary cabinet 890, a secondstationary cabinet 892 that is smaller than the first stationary cabinet890, and a portable cabinet 880 (e.g., including wheels or casters 882).The first and second stationary cabinets 890, 892 are linked togethervia a communication wire 874, while the first stationary cabinet 890 islinked with the portable cabinet 880 via wireless communication 876(e.g., RF). In some embodiments, the first and second stationarycabinets 890, 892 include structure for coupling the cabinets 890, 892together, either side-by-side or one on top of the other.

The cabinet system 810 further includes a computerized controller 814(e.g., electronic control system), which includes a user interface 822(e.g., terminal) and a computer 824 having a processor, memory, and alogic module. According to an exemplary embodiment, the computerizedcontroller 814 may further or otherwise include a server 830 andadditional computers and terminals 872. As shown in FIG. 12, thecomputerized controller 814 is connected to an interface 870 on thefirst stationary cabinet 890, and is also connected to the secondstationary cabinet 892 and the portable cabinet 880 by way of the firststationary cabinet 890 (e.g., daisy-chain arrangement). In otherembodiments, the controller 814 is directly connected to the secondstationary cabinet 892 and the portable cabinet 880.

Each of the cabinets 890, 892, 880 include one or more drawer units 850that are slidable within housings 852 (e.g., bays, enclosures) of thecabinets 890, 892, 880. The system 810 may also include a lockingconnector 854 (e.g., a latch) that selectively locks the drawer units850 within the housing 852. According to an exemplary embodiment, theinterfaces 870 connect the controller 814 via a bus 820 to sensors 844,the locking connector 854, and other components within the housing 852.The drawer units 850 are locked within the housings 852 of the cabinets890, 892, 880 until released by the computerized controller 814.

Each of the drawer units 850 include one or more compartments formedtherein (shown as large and small boxes in each drawer unit 850), withinwhich items may be securely stored. Covers 842 are coupled to the drawerunits 850. Sensory data from the sensors 844 allows the controller 814to estimate a position of the covers 842. The covers are designed toselectively block access to the compartments when the drawer units 850have been slid from the housing 852. According to an exemplaryembodiment, when a drawer unit 850 is within the housing 852 of one ofthe cabinets 890, 892, 880, the computerized controller 814 may instructan actuator 840 coupled to one of the drawer units 850 to move therespective cover 842 relative to the drawer unit 850. When the anopening in the cover 842 is aligned with a designated compartment, thecompartment may be accessed by an authorized operator of the system 810when the drawer unit 850 has been slid from the housing 852.

A number of embodiments of the drawer units have been described above inreference to the figures (e.g. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6, and 8-11). Fortensioning the belts used with these units, various forms of belttensioning may be used. One example is to provide fixedrollers/sprockets 332 on each end of the belt with an adjustable idlerroller or slide to tension the belt. Another example is to provide atensioning assembly which is configured to permit both removal andtensioning of the belt relative to a drawer unit. This is accomplishedby supporting the shaft of at least one of the belt rollers/sprockets332 with bearings which are adjustable relative to the frame of thedrawer unit. This form of adjustment includes having the bearingsslidably mounted on slides which permit movement of the roller along apath generally parallel to the length of the belt. The slides are movedwith adjustment screws or bolts and can be held in place with setscrews.

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a form of the second example of thetension adjustment discussed. In particular, each side of the rollershaft 1302 is supported by a slide assembly 1304. A bolt 482 is engagedwith a threaded portion of the sliding portion of assembly 1304. Thehead of bolt 482 rests against an adjustment stop 1308 so that when bolt482 is turned into the threaded portion, the belt 320 (also referred toas cover) is tightened. By providing tension adjustment at both ends ofthe roller shaft 1302, the belt 320 can be tightened and adjusted sothat the belt 320 is not biased to tend to move off of the rollers 332.

FIG. 13 also shows a sensor assembly which includes an optical sensor492 attached to a back wall a cabinet housing proximate to the back sideof a drawer unit. The assembly also includes light source 494 (e.g. LED)which directs light from the interior of belt through openings 358 (seeFIGS. 5A and 5B) of belt 320 toward sensor 492. The sensor assemblyprovides belt orientation information to controller 214 (see FIG. 2), sothat the controller 214 may operate the motor 352 (see FIG. 6) (or otheractuator) in relation to a current and/or desired orientation of thebelt 320. As discussed, openings 358 are either uniformly spaced toprovide uniform light interruptions which generate interrupt signals tothe controller which are interpreted by the controller to determine thelocation of the belt openings relative to the compartments. This is donetypically with the use of an initial position which has a unique lightinterruption, and then counting of interrupt signals from the initialposition. Alternatively, the openings 358 may be patterned such thatsensor 492 generates a signal representative of the pattern of openings358 detected when light is transmitted through the belts. These signalsare transmitted to the controller 214 which interprets the signals todetermine the location of the belt openings relative to the compartmentsbased on the coded patterns that vary at different positions on the belt320. Detection of a particular coded sequence by the sensor 492 providespositional information.

Referring to FIG. 14, a side schematic view of a drawer unit having a 3compartments arranged end to end from a first end to a second end. Oneof the compartments is divided in half to form 2 half-size compartments.The belt rollers 332 supported at each end of the belt 320 are alsoschematically shown in combination with belt 320. Belt 320 has 2openings which are schematically marked as A and B. Opening B is sizedto correspond to the size of a half-size compartment. A belt actuatorwhich includes a motor such as motor 352 (see FIG. 6) moves the belt 320to align one of the openings A or B with the opening of a compartment334 which includes a desired item such as a particular medication. Byproperly aligning an opening in the belt with the opening of onecompartment, the remainder of the belt serves to restrict access to theother compartments of the drawer unit when the user slides the drawerunit from the associated cabinet.

As discussed above, the belt 320 is moved to align an opening A, B inthe belt 320 with the opening in a compartment when the drawer unit islocated within the cabinet. Accordingly, when a cabinet user requests aparticular item, the actuator operates to move the belt 320 to provideaccess to the compartment having the requested item. Initiating andcompleting this operation must be done in the shortest period of timewithin which the system is capable of operating. The speed of operationis limited by the belt, drawer unit, actuator, and other drawerstructure parameters. Accordingly, for a given set of parametersoperation of the belt must be optimized.

In the preferred embodiment, the belt actuator is configured so that thebelt 320 may be moved in both directions. As shown in FIG. 14, arrows Cillustrate belt motion in either the clockwise or counter-clockwisedirections. After a particular item is requested, the drawer unit ispulled from the cabinet, the item is removed, and the drawer isreturned, the openings A and B typically remain in the position the hadprior to item removal. Depending upon the frequency with whichcompartments are accessed, controller 214 may be programmed/configuredto move the belt 320 so that upon the next item request the mostprobably distance of belt travel is reduced. When using a belt 320 asthe compartment cover, the distance of travel or movement is defined aseither the time or physical distance the belt must travel to move eitheropening A or opening B over the opening of the compartment 334 whichcontains a selected item. As shown in FIG. 14, the distance of travelwill typically be different depending upon the direction of travel (e.g.clockwise or counter-clockwise). By way of specific example, when belt320 is positioned as shown in FIG. 14, the distance of travel in theclockwise direction required to move opening B over compartment C6 ismuch less than the distance of travel in the counter-clockwisedirection. Accordingly, controller 214 is programmed to keep track ofbelt 320 opening A, B positions relative to compartments C1-C6, and toselect the direction of travel to minimize the distance of travel.

Controller 214 may also be programmed to keep track of the frequency atwhich items in the compartments C1-C6 are accessed and position the belt320 when the drawer unit is not in use to increase the likelihood thatbelt travel will be minimized. By way of specific example, if the drawerunit is accessed 100 times, and the majority of these time compartmentsC1 and C3 are accessed, controller 214 would position belt 320 so thatopening B was located generally in the vicinity of compartments C1 andC3 when the drawer is returned and locked in the cabinet and not in use.This would result in opening B being positioned over approximately overcompartment C2 depending upon whether or not the speed of belt movementavailable from the actuator is designed for a particular application tobe the same in both directions.

The construction and arrangements of cabinet system, as shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Forexample, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed orotherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements orpositions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of anyprocess, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied orre-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions,modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design,operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A secured cabinet comprising: a drawer housing; aplurality of drawer units slidable within the drawer housing between anextended position and a retracted position, each of the plurality ofdrawer units comprising: a top frame having an opening; a shell coupledto the top frame, the shell having receiving portions; an insertdisposed between the top frame and the shell, the insert having aninterior divided into at least a first compartment and a secondcompartment and flanges extending from the insert and contacting thereceiving portions; a belt having an opening, the belt being moveablysupported by the insert and being moveable to align the opening with theopening in the top frame and with either the first compartment or thesecond compartment, wherein the contact of the flanges and the receivingportions separate the belt form the shell during movement; a beltactuator supported by the insert and configured to move the belt; and anelectronic controller in communication with the belt actuators of eachdrawer unit, wherein the controller is configured to control the beltactuator of each drawer unit to move the belt of each drawer unit toprovide access to the compartments of the drawer unit, wherein thecontroller, in response to a user request to access one of thecompartments of one of the drawer units, is configured direct the beltactuator of the drawer unit to move the belt.
 2. The secured cabinet ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of restraining devices coupled tothe insert and configured to hold items within the first and secondcompartments.
 3. The secured cabinet of claim 1 wherein the controlleris configured to cause movement of the belt of each drawer unit onlywhen the drawer unit is in the retracted position within the housing. 4.The secured cabinet of claim 1 wherein the movement of each belt ismovement that occurs above the first compartment and the secondcompartment of the requested drawer unit.
 5. The secured cabinet ofclaim 1 further comprising a first roller supported at a first end ofeach insert and a second roller supported at a second end of eachinsert.